Philippine President Marcos has ordered a probe into alleged foreign interference in May’s elections, following claims that China-backed troll farms aim to sway voters and promote pro-China candidates, accusations Beijing strongly denies.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has launched an investigation into possible foreign interference in the country’s upcoming May elections, following warnings from national security officials about suspected Chinese state-backed influence operations.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro called the reports "alarming" and said a full investigation would be conducted. The move came after a top National Security Council official testified in a Senate hearing about signs of Chinese information operations targeting the electoral process.
Senator Francis Tolentino presented what he claimed was evidence linking the Chinese embassy in Manila to local "troll farm" operations. He alleged that the embassy paid a local marketing firm to run online campaigns, citing a copy of a cheque he said was issued by the Chinese mission.
According to Tolentino, these troll farms were involved not only in spreading Chinese government messaging but also in covertly undermining the Philippine government and influencing public opinion in favor of pro-China candidates. However, he did not name any specific candidates.
China's foreign ministry and its embassy in Manila have denied all accusations, calling them false and politically motivated. They emphasized China's non-interference policy and accused Philippine politicians of using anti-China rhetoric for political gain.
The allegations come as tensions continue between Manila and Beijing, especially over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The upcoming elections will fill 317 congressional seats and thousands of local posts, with key focus on the race for 12 of the 24 Senate seats.
China has cautioned Manila, the capital of the Philippines, against relying on foreign support in the South China Sea dispute, following critical remarks from the EU.
The Philippines has inked a $700 million agreement with South Korea's KAI to acquire 12 advanced FA-50 fighter jets by 2030, enhancing its military capabilities amid regional tensions.
China has rejected accusations made by the defense chiefs of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, who last week raised concerns over Beijing’s actions in the East and South China Seas.
The Philippines and the European Union have agreed to launch a security and defense dialogue aimed at addressing emerging challenges such as cyber threats and foreign interference, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo announced on Monday.
Voting was underway in the Philippines on Monday for a midterm election marked by a fierce and emotional rivalry between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 27th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s multi-day wedding in Venice is making headlines—not just for its celebrity guest list and luxury, but also for the backlash it has sparked among local activists.
The man behind one of Japan’s most disturbing serial murder cases—dubbed the ‘Twitter killer’—has been executed, breaking a nearly three-year pause in the country’s use of capital punishment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Tehran has not made any decision to begin new nuclear talks with the United States, dismissing recent claims by President Donald Trump about a planned meeting.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son said on Friday the group aims to become the world’s top platform provider for artificial super intelligence within the next decade, signaling a bold new direction for the Japanese tech giant.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar has advised American citizens to shelter in place amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as part of a broader global security alert issued by Washington.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed using closer cooperation with Pacific rim countries as a foundation to redesign the World Trade Organization (WTO), citing rising trade tensions and global fragmentation.
China and Ecuador mark a key step in strengthening bilateral ties by agreeing to expand and deepen cooperation in trade, investment and economic development.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 27th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The man behind one of Japan’s most disturbing serial murder cases—dubbed the ‘Twitter killer’—has been executed, breaking a nearly three-year pause in the country’s use of capital punishment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Tehran has not made any decision to begin new nuclear talks with the United States, dismissing recent claims by President Donald Trump about a planned meeting.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 27th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s multi-day wedding in Venice is making headlines—not just for its celebrity guest list and luxury, but also for the backlash it has sparked among local activists.
The man behind one of Japan’s most disturbing serial murder cases—dubbed the ‘Twitter killer’—has been executed, breaking a nearly three-year pause in the country’s use of capital punishment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that Tehran has not made any decision to begin new nuclear talks with the United States, dismissing recent claims by President Donald Trump about a planned meeting.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son said on Friday the group aims to become the world’s top platform provider for artificial super intelligence within the next decade, signaling a bold new direction for the Japanese tech giant.
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